Category: Science and publications

[Environmental Health News] Mice exposed in the womb to a chemical used in PVC plastic, door and window frames, blinds, water pipes, and medical devices were more likely to suffer from prediabetes and obesity, according to a study released this week.

In the aftermath of the September 11th atrocity, which destroyed New York City’s World Trade Center (WTC), questions have been raised conceming the risk of asbestos-related cancer from inhaling the dust.

Data exist that show that chrysotile asbestos does not retain its mineral properties, or biological activity, at temperature far below the olivine transformation point. Temperatures hundreds of degrees below this point cause the mineral to lose structural water with accompanying crystal structure degradation.

The last 20 years or so have seen enormous advances in our knowledge and understanding of asbestos-related disease. Unfortunately, governments and regulatory agencies have largely ignored the findings. Lawyers and pressure groups vigorously resist them.

The differences between chrysotile asbestos, a serpentine mineral, and amphibole asbestos have been debated extensively. Many studies have shown that chrysotile is cleared from the lung more rapidly than amphibole.

Chrysotile asbestos, a serpentin mineral, has been shown to be notably different from amphibole asbestos such as amosite, crocidolite, and tremolite in that chrysotile once inhaled is rapidly removed from the lung while the amphiboles persist.

In December 1997 the European Commission (EC) adopted Directive 97/69/EC (O.J. L 343/19 of 13 December 1997; European Commission, 1997) in which criteria were established for the classification and labeling of synthetic mineral fibers.

One of the primary goals of WHO and its member states is that “all people, whatever their stage of development and their social and economic conditions, have the right to have access to an adequate supply of safe drinking water.” A major WHO function to achieve such goals is the responsibility “to propose regulations, and to make recommendations with respect to international health matters ….”